Top UK Share Investment Platforms: A Comprehensive Guide

Investing in shares can be a lucrative way to build wealth, but choosing the right platform is crucial for success. In the UK, numerous share investment platforms offer a range of features and benefits. This guide explores some of the top platforms available, highlighting their key features, costs, and overall user experience. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, this guide will help you find the best platform suited to your needs.

1. Hargreaves Lansdown

   • Features: Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the UK's largest and most established investment platforms. It offers a wide range of investment options, including shares, ETFs, and funds. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive research tools, and excellent customer service.
   • Costs: The platform charges a flat fee for holding investments, plus a fee for each trade. The costs are competitive, but higher than some newer platforms.
   • User Experience: Users appreciate the detailed research and analysis tools available, making it easier to make informed investment decisions. The customer support is highly rated, and the platform offers educational resources for new investors.

2. AJ Bell Youinvest

   • Features: AJ Bell Youinvest provides a range of investment options, including shares, funds, and ETFs. It offers a straightforward, easy-to-use platform with various account types, such as ISAs and SIPPs.
   • Costs: AJ Bell Youinvest charges a low annual fee, plus a per-trade fee. The costs are generally lower than those of Hargreaves Lansdown, making it a cost-effective choice for many investors.
   • User Experience: The platform is praised for its simplicity and ease of use. It provides a range of investment tools and resources, although its research capabilities are not as extensive as some competitors.

3. Interactive Investor

   • Features: Interactive Investor stands out for its fixed monthly fee structure, which can be beneficial for frequent traders. It offers a broad range of investment options and has a reputation for strong customer service.
   • Costs: The monthly fee covers all trades, which can be advantageous for active traders. There are no additional trading fees beyond the monthly subscription.
   • User Experience: Interactive Investor's platform is user-friendly and well-regarded for its transparency and customer support. It provides a range of investment research tools and educational content.

4. Freetrade

   • Features: Freetrade is a newer platform that offers commission-free trading. It focuses on simplicity and accessibility, providing a user-friendly app for buying and selling shares.
   • Costs: As the name suggests, Freetrade offers commission-free trades, though there are premium features available at an additional cost.
   • User Experience: The platform is highly praised for its ease of use and lack of trading fees. It's an excellent choice for new investors looking for a straightforward investment experience.

5. Revolut

   • Features: Revolut is known primarily for its banking services but also offers share trading as part of its app. It provides a seamless experience for users who want to manage both banking and investments in one place.
   • Costs: Revolut offers a tiered pricing structure with a free basic account and various premium plans that offer different levels of access to investment features.
   • User Experience: Users appreciate the convenience of having banking and investments in one app. The platform is easy to use, although it may not offer as many features as dedicated investment platforms.

Comparative Analysis

Platform	Key Features	Costs	Best For
Hargreaves Lansdown	Comprehensive research tools, large range	Flat fee + trade fees	Experienced investors
AJ Bell Youinvest	Simple interface, low costs	Low annual fee + per-trade fees	Budget-conscious investors
Interactive Investor	Fixed monthly fee, extensive range	Monthly fee only	Frequent traders
Freetrade	Commission-free trading, simple app	Free + optional premium features	New investors
Revolut	Integrated banking and investing	Free + premium plans	Users wanting integrated services